The year's biggest health fair in Wadena is coming soon. The 21st annual February Festival of Health is a community-wide health fair to be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5 at M-State's Wadena campus on Minnesota Highway 29.

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This free event offers more than 70 exhibits by local businesses and organizations, including popular booths like "Ask A Provider" and DNA swab testing. Each booth provides hands-on learning and an opportunity to become familiar with the many resources available for you and your family's health, well-being and safety.

One of the featured events is the Community Baby Shower booth, sponsored by Tri-County Health Care's Obstetrics Department. Moms who are currently pregnant or have had a baby within the last year are eligible to win more than $400 in prizes in a special drawing.

New to this year's February Festival of Health is "Germ City." Germ City is a science-based, educational program to improve the effectiveness and frequency of hand washing behaviors in adults and children. Germ City has been used at the Minnesota State Fair, county fairs, hospitals, open houses, libraries, schools, employee training and infection control events, and restaurants.

Health screenings include: blood pressure, body fat analysis, pulmonary function, blood glucose test and cholesterol testing and vaccinations. All screenings are free, except for the cholesterol test which is $14. The Wadena County Soil and Water Conservation District will also be conducting free water testing, so bring a sample of your water.

Lunch is available between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the cafeteria for a nominal fee. Throughout the day, free entertainment and demonstrations will take place in the cafeteria. They will include dance performances by Just for Kix, demonstrations by S.T.O.M.P. highlighting a new form of fitness to our area, face paintings by WDC-FCCLA and caricatures by Doug Curtis.